6 Ways to Get Your Home Summer-Ready for People in Retirement Living

With summer just around the corner, everyone is looking for new ways to spruce up their living spaces in time for their home summer-ready. Those in retirement living are no exception; with more time on hand to invest in making your home perfect for the warmer weather, all you need are some handy tips to help you on your way.

The best part is that these tips are tailored to suit a variety of lifestyles and budgets, which means it’s easy to transform your space into a dream summer home.

Update your color palette

Those wishing for a total summer transformation can start by painting their space- if retirement living allows. This is a great way to make the most of natural lighting and give the illusion of more space. This is ideal for when the sun makes an appearance. Try using a timeless, neutral palette, or introduce brighter colors into your space in the form of a feature wall.

In fact, some colors are said to have positive effects on mental health, especially when you are surrounded by them with interiors. Luckily, most summer palettes fit into these mentally beneficial colors, such as earthy greens and pastel hues. They are also great transitional colors to see you into fall.

Alternatively, you can update your color scheme by changing your furniture. This is a great tip for those living in retirement communities where you may not be able to make changes to your décor.

Prioritize comfort

Summer is a season that everyone looks forward to, but it comes with its downsides. The most obvious is making sure you aren’t overwhelmed by the heat when peak summer arrives- something your living space can help with.  Start by making sure your mattress is adapted to be both orthopedic and cooling. Avoid spending money on a mattress just for summer by looking at one which has a winter side and a summer side.

The same can be said for sofas, as you’ll want it to look stylish while providing the kind of comfort you need in summer. You should review different sofas to get an idea of what suits you and your space before investing.

Switch out soft furnishings

Comfort doesn’t just come in the form of changing your furniture. One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to decorating for summer is sticking to their winter duvet. 

This is sure to leave you with bad quality of sleep, especially on warm nights. Instead, store your winter duvet away for cold nights and purchase a lighter one with a lower tog rating. The same rule applies for switching out velvet cushions for linen ones, and duvet covers from flannel to lightweight cotton.

If there are nights where chills creep in, always have a soft blanket nearby. Trying out these small investments makes all the difference. It’s also an effective way to keep your color theme running throughout your home!

Invest in air conditioning

 Air conditioning should be at the top of your list if your retirement space doesn’t already have it. It is essential for making sure you have a cool night’s sleep and for keeping you comfortable during the day.

Those living in a more humid climate may benefit from having an air conditioner which also acts as a dehumidifier. This ensures all the air going around your room is clean and free of excess water particles. Less water in the air means a smaller risk of damp, meaning your summer home won’t become damaged. Dehumidifiers are also ideal for those who usually suffer from allergies in the summer season.

If you are unable to get an air conditioner, placing a few small but powerful fans around your space is an inexpensive way to keep the air flowing through your home.

Do a summer clean

We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but before you start on anything else to make your home ready for summer, you’ll need to do another deep clean. It won’t matter when you update your home if there is still dust and clutter everywhere, so dedicate a few days to cleansing your space before you make some changes.

Cleaning can be as big or small a task as you prefer. From donating old clothes to charity to rearranging your rooms, do whatever feels right for your space. Once the deep clean is out of the way, you’ll need some fun ways to keep your space refreshed all summer long, such as making your own room fragrance using your favorite scents.

 Make use of indoor plants and flowers

When people think of summer, fresh blooms and green plants come to mind, so why not bring nature indoors? This is a sure-fire way to brighten a space, and sometimes, it doesn’t have to cost a cent. Not only this, but many flowers bring a fresh, summer scent to a room, and as with certain colors, are said to have an overwhelmingly positive effect on mental wellbeing.

The flowers you choose will largely depend on the time of year and where you live, but most tropical plants can be bought at a local nursery. You can keep plants and flowers blooming all season long by growing your own in an allotment or greenhouse. Many plants are also easy to maintain indoors with regular watering and plenty of sunlight- something you’re bound to see a lot of this summer. Growing your own will also minimize the cost, and you can share your blooming creations with those living close by. 

LivingBetter50 is a magazine for women over 50, offering an over 50 magazine free download for women of spirit!